Bass Guitar: Centerpiece of the Music Ensemble

[under13]

It is very clear that a keyboardist or organ player can simulate the bass while still effectively holding his/her own role, and the bass player cannot do the opposite.  That is just simply true. I have been in churches where the organist was holding down a groove and I was looking for the bass player.  I have also seen situations where I knew it was keyboard bass, but the groove sounded very good.  There are so many choirs in small town USA where they don't even have a bass player(pretty large choirs). And they are not looking for one.  How can a bass be the centerpiece(taken to mean,"most important instrument") of the music?

But it is also clear that a bass can be the driving force in some situations.  A bass player frees up everyone, and is almost indispensible in quartet music, small ensembles, etc.  (but we are talking about church choirs and MOMs) A good bass player will earn his keep but is not as important in a church setting and other settings as is the keyboardist or organist.  If the persons has the KSAs(knowledge, skills and abilities) necessary to be a MOM, should it make any difference which instrument they play?  Maybe not, but it often does.  That's why it most often is the keyboardist or organist who is chosen.  All of that is just real.

100% agree.

[A1-psaltry]

Just because the keyboardist can be a one man band, does that mean we should let him? Aren't you tired of the hubris of those who think that worship can't happen unless they are there to play?

LOL! born and raised COGIC classic exs.- state choir rehearsal " while we're waiting on the musician here's what we'll be doing that week" or at the musical-"our musician has not yet arrived but pray for me as I attempt to sing this song 'acapella' -meanwhile in the far far corner behind the organ there sits..........

[BigFoot_BigThumb]

So I take it you don't listen to bassists like John Patitucci, Stanley Clarke, Victor Bailey, Jaco, and the list goes on and on.  They write songs where the bass is the focal point.  John Patiticci and Victor Bailey really opened my eyes to what can be done with a bass when used as a solo instrument.  But the gist of it is, they are solo artists.  At your church, you're there in a different capacity.  You just have to find an environment where your fellow musicians are open to giving the bass some shine if that's what you're seeking.  And more than anything, it has to fit and makes sense.  The bass guitar has it's role, and that role must be played no matter what.  When the groove is seriously IN THERE, the bass IS the centerpiece hands down.  The groove is the foundation, and nothing can be built without laying down a foundation first. 

And for the record, I've been an MD as both a bassist and drummer.